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Hi @iriyarenovation. The AVCL should be positioned ideally on the warm side of insulation protected beneath the finish floor covering. Additional secondary insulation layers like woodfibre are possible from above or access permitting from below. We would be happy to review any detail if needed please contact info@ecologicalbuildingsystems.com.

Hi @Lpk9410. The membrane will function in either direction. On a roof it's important that the branding faces outward to the external side because it has better weathering characteristics in that direction. On a floor the influence of rain is not a concern so it can face the internal side making it easier at the same time to tape up with Tescon Vana.

Hi @yvesk876. Unfortunately, it is not possible to run the Pro Clima DA across the underside of the floor joists and then up the side of the joists and then across the underside of the floor boards. The reason for this is that Pro Clima DA is an Airtightness and moisture vapour control membrane and this would risk trapping some moisture at the bottom of the joists - hence the reason for cutting strips of the DA membrane and sealing to the underside of the floorboards and part way down the sides of the joists (and not underneath). Hope that helps.

Hi @nottagepie. The same insulation could be used on a pitched roof application. In this case the SOLITEX PLUS would be outside (with a counter batten above this if you plan to full fill the rafter void) and we would recommend changing the DA to pro clima INTELLO PLUS on the inside. The same pro clima tapes and seals can be used. Hope that helps.

Hi @andypag1071. You would continue the Tescon Vana tape seal across every metre of the membrane overlap to ensure there are no air leakage points after the membrane is applied. Thanks for the message.

Minimising thermal bridges around windows and doors is often complicated by the need for structural support in these areas. Do check out our range of Bosig structural insulation made from recycled materials on our website.

@@EcologicalBuildingSystems Yes, this insulation block support was designed for windows and door frames and has suitable structural density.

The Redstone Calsitherm boards used here are fully bonded to the wall and the finishing plaster has embedded reinforcing mesh. The boards' were designed specifically for internal walls so have an appropriate density for use in these locations. It is non-combustible (good in power stations and historic buildings), but also highly capillary active making it ideal for managing moisture in solid walls. When installed following the manufacturer guidelines, the strength and durability of the system is excellent - more than enough for the demands of this public building.

I’d of thought so.

We would not recommend using a polythene vapour barrier here. The breathable floor system benefits from a vapour control membrane as it allows for some breathability from inside to outside. DA is also more robust, easier to staple and tape, and means the full Pro Clima airtightness system is used so you get all the benefits of the Pro Clima system warranty.

The U-value of any particular floor depends upon a few factors, such as the timber percentage and the perimeter to Area (P/A) ratio of the floor. Based on floor joists being 100mm deep and using the Hemp-Jute insulation, as shown in the video, this usually achieves somewhere in the region of 0.25 W/m2K. Hope that helps.

There is an MVHR system, as necessary for all airtight buildings. The centralised unit is located near the backdoor. All the ducting from this is hidden behind panels so you would not know it was there.

Hi @fredhawkey380. It is possible to stable and tape and seal the SOLITEX PLUS diffusion open membrane below the joist which will allow any vapour to diffuse to the vented cavity below. We would also recommend applying support battens below the membrane to support the weight of the insulation over time. Of course, it is still recommended to apply the sealed airtightness and vapour controlling pro clima DA membrane on the warm side of the natural fibre insulation if you are applying this from above. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comment.

@@EcologicalBuildingSystems cheers . I've just realised why u do it like that. My crawl space is so shallow I couldn't get the drill underneath. Less awkward from the top. 👍

So long as the sub floor joist zone is adequately vented and is relatively dry (no water pooling in the ground below) then you can use this system in a Melbourne climate.

Glad it was helpful!

That isn't what the instructions say.

Staples applied correctly do not compromise the airtightness. They are necessary to secure the membrane to the timber structure and securely contain the insulation. You just need to avoid staples missing the timber, or if they don't go all the way in, or they go in too far and slice through the membrane.

Diathonite should be finished with Argatherm to provide a smooth or semi-smooth finish. For an ultra-smooth finish, Argacem Ultrafine can be used on top of the Argatherm. Note, use of Argacem Ultrafine would also require a reinforcing mesh to be applied between the first and second layers of the Argatherm.

The potential risks outlined can be overcome by ensuring adequate ventilation in the subfloor joist zone and also only use this system if the zone below is relatively dry. If the subfloor zone has a high water table and is constantly wet then we would not recommend using this system. Please see our blog: www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/post/suspended-timber-floor-insulation-best-practice-installation-guide This explains the precautions and checks necessary to determine the suitability of the system.

This method details how to upgrade the floor "from above". If you have access to the underneath, please see our other method that uses Gutex Mutitherm woodfibre boards to address thermal bridges. See this blog for details: www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/post/suspended-timber-floor-insulation-installation-underneath

Hi @timbramm4650. Solitex Plus is both breathable and airtight. Breathability refers to the movement of moisture and doesn't affect the airtightness. It might be good to think of it like this, human skin can sweat but it doesn't allow air in. Solitex Plus manages moisture by transferring water vapour and doesn't need any air movement beneath or through to transport the moisture. Hope that helps.

⁠@@EcologicalBuildingSystemswhat a great answer

Hi @christophervarady-szabo1547. The timber suspended floor will be permanently ventilated all year round via the air bricks in the external walls. Hope that answers your query. Let us know if you need any further information. Thanks.

Hi @happyguycol. Sorry for the delay in this reply. Sealing from the outside is considered part of the weathertight detailing process. A similar tape can be used to resist water and wind infiltration between the wall and the window or door frame. The tape that is recommended for external use is called Contega Solido EXO, is black in colour and not to be confused with the internal white version shown in this clip. All of the other processes are identical. Hope that helps answer your query. Thanks.

Hi @sean550, we're based in Athboy, Co. Meath. Yes we supply the Gutex insulation boards and we can deliver nationwide. You can call us on +353 46 9432104 for more details. Thanks.

Hi..I'm not putting insulated board on .as it going on to battins....ply .felt .battons than half inch baords...

Hi @TheTravelTipsGuy the u-value is influenced by a number of factors including floor dimensions, timber depth and spacing and type of insulation used . Please send your details and we will be happy to provide a solution and calculation for your records.

Hi @godsbluehills, no the excessive overlap is not an issue. You don't need to cut back the excess unless it causes a problem for taping.

Designed vent openings in the sub floor void are very important and they should not be obstructed in anyway likely to reduce airflow below the insulated floor. Hope that helps.

Telescopic vents might help

@@Rich-do9mr yes, that's exactly what I ended up doing

Unfortunately there is no definitive amount of time that drying may take. Drying is affected by temperature and air change so during this process you can encourage drying by heating the affected space and ventilating the building to prevent high internal humidity.

The system is compatible with underfloor heating typically installed above the joists. Please contact our technical team via the contact page on our website to discuss the method.

Thank you, really glad you found it useful.

The video describes a typical installation of Pro Clima Intello Plus as an airtight vapour control layer on a standard timber frame wall. To advise you further and provide the right solution for your retrofit project, please contact our technical team via our website.

It is possible to install from underneath. The method is described in detail on our website here: www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/post/suspended-timber-floor-insulation-installation-underneath

The vapour control membrane above the insulation prevents warm humid air escaping to the cold floor void underneath where it can condense on the cold timber surfaces and potentially cause structural damage from condensation and mould - this is a vital component of the system. The floor void, must also be correctly ventilated and free from moisture issues. Before proceeding with the installation, it is essential to check the moisture levels under the floor. Joists must be dry and any rotting timber must be replaced before beginning work. Please contact us for advice if the ground/soil below is visibly damp or wet or likely to flood. We have a downloadable installation guide here with full details: www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/post/suspended-timber-floor-insulation-best-practice-installation-guide

@@EcologicalBuildingSystems Good answer Eco!

Good question Matthew!

A calculation is carried out to know exactly how many shear and suction screws are required to secure the wood fibre and roof build-up.

In this demonstration, the wood fibre insulation absorbs the heat better when compared to mineral wool and polystyrene. This improved heat absorption is coming from a combination of the high Specific Heat Capacity, density of the wood fibre and its thermal conductivity. Which basically means the wood fibre warms up slower, and then releases the heat (back into the home) slower. Resulting in excellent protection from summer heat.

becase the heat from the sun is radiant heat that doesn't need a material to transfer energy. the heat inside yiur house is the warm air and needs a material to tranfer its heat tru conductivity. so some materials are less conductive than others thats why steel feels cold tho touch and whool feels warm to touch. some materials are better at storing radiant heat. in the eps and rockwool insulation do not have a place to store the energy that hits them and radiate it to the cooler air inside your home. if then at night the oudside temperature drops. the warm air isn't able to conduct its heat back out. this leats to high cooling bills in summer

The nails and screws need to be fixed to the joists tightly and not removed. Basically, when the nails/screws penetrate the membrane cleanly and all of them go directly into a joist it will be airtight. You must be extra careful not to miss the joist with a screw or nail. Any screws/nails that miss a joist mean you will have to remove the floorboard and patch the hole in the membrane with Pro Clima Tescon Vana airtight tape and try again. So just make sure you don't miss the joist with your fixings!

Please contact us for recommendations. www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/contact

As a retrofit solution, the products here work around the existing fabric of the building to achieve an improved thermal performance. We are all for innovation in the industry and have designed this retrofit floor insulation system to be as simple as possible.

Jobsworth!

The hemp and jute natural insulation has no nutritional value for vermin or insects so wouldn't be an attractive food source. The hemp/jute insulation is breathable and absorbs humidity which is key to the effectiveness of this solution. It is also a flexible insulation so it is easy to install with no gaps which prevents closed loop thermal bypass. Dave explains the benefits and properties of the insulation in more detail in the video.

Yes. And don't forget they sent kids up the chimneys in those days!

Diathonite Evolution insulating plaster was used. This has a thermal conductivity of 0.045 W/mK. A 50mm application typically improves the thermal performance of the wall by approximately 3.5 times.

The house in the video is featured on our project gallery on our website here: www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/project-gallery/deep-retrofit-lake-district-cumbria All the products used are listed at the end of this page. On our website we also have a training section: www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/training-courses Here you can find a regular schedule of training and CPDs that should help with installation and theory of how it all works. If you have any questions please get in touch via our contact page on the website.

We provided many products with full technical support for this project. But, we don't have any further details on project costings. The Passivhaus designer was SRM Building Design and the contractor was 4Site Engineering and Construction Ltd.